Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language and values, including white and black people.

Authorised encampments 

Wakefield Council provides an authorised, permanent encampment site at Heath Common, Wakefield  (follow link below for further information). 

Unauthorised encampments 

Everyone has rights, including Travellers and people on whose land unauthorised camping takes place on. The Council ensures that if unauthorised encampments are set up, they are managed quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of:-

• the travellers
• the local community

In such cases, the Council makes an assessment of the Travellers needs and agreeing with them a time when they will move on. If during the course of their stay, they cause nuisance or damage the environment the Council would take formal action to move the encampment.

Reporting an unauthorised encampment 

Wakefield Council works very closely with West Yorkshire Police to manage unauthorised encampments.  If you need to report an unauthorised encampment, please contact us (see below for contact details).

Education for travellers 

Whether dealing with authorised or unauthorised encampments, the Council works with families to ensure children of school age have access to education.